Objective

The mission of the American Zoetrope Screenplay Contest is to find and promote new and innovative voices in cinema. Every script is read closely by a select handful of professional readers, and Francis Ford Coppola selects a grand prize–winner from among the top ten finalists. The grand prize–winner receives a cash prize, and the scripts of all top ten finalists are sent by Zoetrope to leading production companies and talent agencies for consideration.

Deadline/Entry Fees

Notification: One winning script and nine finalists will be announced on February 10, 2025. Semi- and quarterfinalists will be announced at the same time.

Eligibility

Rules

Awards

The winner of the competition will receive the grand prize of $5,000.

The winner and nine honorable-mentions will be considered for representation by select agencies and their scripts will be considered for film option and development by leading production companies, including:American Zoetrope, Anonymous Content, Cats & Dogs Productions, Double Hope Films, Forward Movement (an ARRAY Company), Fox Searchlight, The Gersh Agency, Groundswell Productions, Icon Films, IFC Films, Jean Doumanian Productions, Lionsgate, LIT Entertainment Group, Lleju Productions, Number 9 Films, Oasis Media Group, Pretty Pictures Productions, Robert Evans, Roserock Films, Sony Pictures Classics, Verisimilitude, William Morris Endeavor, and Working Title Films.